Today is Tuesday and I, thankfully, have a reduced flare-up day. I've had quite a week getting used to the idea that the AS (ankylosing spondylitis) is in a semi-permanent stage. I'm at a place with my hip that I'm looking for a cane. Kind of humbling at age 33 but I've found a great support forum that is opening my eyes to this disease! I've been in denial the past 12 years and I have to face it now!!

So what this means, is that my pace may be a bit slower in my creative 'business' on the bad flare-up days and I appreciate everyone's patience if I am a bit on the slow side on some days/weeks. The joint inflammation makes it very difficult to sit or stand for any length of time.

I've got one pink dress almost completed. Finishing touches that I hope to get finished today or tomorrow, but we'll see!

hi ho, hi ho, it's off to sew I go.....

I purchased all the necessary trim to finish both dresses within the next couple of days. YEA!

If you have already received one of my handmade items, don't forget to leave a comment here so I know you stopped by!

today's post . . . or is it tomorrow?

It's 1:36 am (my time) and I've finally got things shut down for today (or would it be yesterday?). I have been working on the 2 dresses and have both nearly 1/2 finished. Time to get the special trim & lace to be able to continue to the next step. I expect the second half to go quickly.

As I sat sewing tonight, I was entertaining the thought of posting another gown on ebay this week. But then I'm never sure it would sell or if I'd have the time to squeeze another one in my already full list! If it sells, then I'd have that money to help pay for a chelation therapy for my 6 yo daughter (chelation: a detox program to get the heavy metals . . . lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum out of her body so she can finally start to heal from an autoimmune disease attacking her kidney & thyroid). But if it doesn't sell, then I'm out the listing fees and filled with another bout of disappointment! Oh the dilema! I guess I'll see what happens after these 2 dresses are completed and I get a few baby sculptures done to see how much time I have left. But that's how my mind works. I plan too far ahead and get overwhelmed at what I have to do now!!! LOL! Such is the mind of a creative person!!

I guess it also depends upon how long this flareup lasts. I found out some exciting information last night about AS (ankylosing spondylitis: my diagnosis from 12 years ago in the Navy, similar to rheumatoid arthritis) that shows how I can stop these joint flare-ups. It won't be easy, but I'm praying for the Lord's strength to stay away from all starches (you know....those yummy potatoes, sweet potatoes, breads, pasta, corn, peas, breads, pasta, breads, rice, grains . . . . oh, and don't forget about bread!!! LOL). Today I did a liquid fast all day & ate a few fried tomatoes for supper and I'm feeling better than the last couple of days. Tomorrow should be even better for me since I avoided all starches today. (ok, I cheated a tiny bit because I HAD to taste the rice and beef stew I heated up for everyone else). YEA! Feel-good days are very productive days!!

I'd better shut down the computer now so I can get some rest to deal with another fun & exciting day!
Be Blessed!

Something in the air ....

I wonder what's in the air today? I woke up with severe kidney/back pain again . . .ugh! Maybe staying up until 1:30 am didn't help my body much! My 2 youngest (3 & 2) are in quite a fighting mood all morning & everyone seems a bit grumpy. I should get them all bundled up & take a quick trip to the park to get their energy out and some fresh air. I love being able to do that with homeschooling 5! I first need to stop by the chiro to get some kidney supplements & then we have to go to the farm & pick up our milk. I think I also need to make a quick trip to the health store to get some Calms Forte for Kids and see if that will stop the all night crying of my 2 yo. For some reason most of my kids have that problem and after dealing with it for nearly 11 years (5 kids) I'm getting wore out!! I know this too shall pass.

I'm hoping today will be an excellend day for sewing. I praise the Lord my 2 eldest (11 & 9) have their schoolwork done in record time today, so that helps a LOT!

Some have messaged me asking how long the waiting list is . . . . Well, that is a difficult one to say because some days are just not good artistic days for sculpting and other days are superb! Time is a major commodity that seems to elude me lately, hence the staying up until 1 or 2 am!!

Get used to long-winded blogs . . . my social life is centered around the internet moms groups lately, since everyone around here is too busy for socializing! I'm really enjoying this kind of 'outlet', though. I love sharing & I have lots to share!!

As for the waiting list, I expect approximately 2 weeks per item being made. I will use this blog to keep everyone updated if I am behind or ahead of my projected schedule.

Here's my latest baby sculpture: the first is the model, the second is my interpretation:

and 2 others I've recently made: butterfly babies: (click on the thumbnails for a larger view)

   



If you are interested in getting on the list, please leave a comment & I'll get back to you. Current prices for my sculpture babies are $60 if you order during the month of November. After that they will go up to $100. I am open to trades. Let me know what you've got & I'll work with you! And payment plans. Since there is a waiting list, you have some time to make payments! Look around on the internet & see that the usual cost of a custom sculpture is around $200. I am starting with lower prices to make them affordable to everyone to be able to enjoy! We also are in need of some specific chelation therapy for my 6 yo daughter that our insurance doesn't fully cover. So these sales will greatly help fund her medical bills and our homeschooling effort!